Part of staying comfortable inside during the winter is taking care of the air quality. In many places, indoor air quality can decline in the winter unexpectedly. People go outside more often in the summer and typically allow the home to be ventilated regularly. As the temperatures drop and people stop going outside, that ventilation process suffers.
Polar Air & Heating, Inc. offers many services that will help our customers take care of their indoor air quality during the winter. We have provided excellent services to the residents of Las Vegas since 1998 and offer cutting-edge products that will help you keep the air clean inside your home so that your family, friends, and pets stay healthy. Take advantage of our expert installation on your next purifier, humidifier, air filter, and germicidal UV lights.
The Importance of Clean Ductwork
One of the major reasons indoor air quality can decline in the winter is dirty ductwork. People can’t normally see any buildup that rests in a thin film on the inside of the ducts. That is why it is so important to have a professional regularly clean them. Doing this before winter is a great idea. Most people experience a good amount of dust accumulation during the summer. It’s easy for your ductwork to collect the bulk of the dust by the time fall ends.
Having a professional do an in-home test for mold and other particulates at the same time you have your ductwork cleaned can be beneficial. Many of the things that affect indoor air quality and build inside the ducts are invisible. They may or may not have an odor. You can take advantage of many types of tests. These may have an automatic result, or they may go to a lab. There are shorter tests and more intensive ones that can take a few weeks. The tests may be an especially good idea if you have elderly adults or young children in the house. Those with allergies can also benefit from regular tests for allergens that are hard to spot.
Checking the Ductwork Seals and Vents
Checking the seals and vents of your ductwork is a great service to have a professional perform. It goes hand-in-hand with a winter duct cleaning routine. Ducts are prone to accumulate mold and debris if there are problems with the sealing or vents. This lets in extra dust, bugs, and moisture. Improper sealing and damaged vents also cause airflow and pressure problems. Consequently, the particulates can’t escape the ductwork properly.
Adjust and Assess Humidity Levels
Homes should have a consistent indoor humidity level of 30% to 50%. Some homes may have an even amount of humidity throughout the home when winter comes. However, it’s common for homes to have rooms that are more humid than others during certain seasons. You can benefit from several different humidifying solutions that your HVAC professional can provide. Room-specific humidifiers may work for some people, while others might need a large humidifier or dehumidifier for the whole house.
Ventilation Matters
You may have some difficulty getting successful ventilation with the drop in temperatures. However, it’s still extremely important. This is especially true for homes with elderly or very young residents. In the winter, people spend a lot more time inside. They are essentially breathing the same air for months or weeks in some homes. A heavy-duty air purifier will help a lot, but it’s essential to ventilate the home and get fresh air circulating regularly.
To keep cold air from taking over while you ventilate, you can have a professional clean your vents before the cold sets in. The more air your HVAC system can get in and out of the house without leaving windows open too long, the more you can save on your energy bill.
Check and Upgrade Your Air Filters
You don’t have to stick with the same air filter type for every season. Heavy-duty filters can make a world of difference. It is always a good idea to check the filter when the weather changes anyway. But, if you know you need to upgrade your indoor air quality this winter, you should consider installing a specialty filter. There are filters that will remove extra allergens for those that suffer from allergies as well.
A filter change or upgrade will help keep your ducts clean longer. It will also extend the life of your HVAC system as well as improve the comfort level inside. Check with a professional to make sure you are using a filter that is compatible with your system.
Whole-Home Air Filtration Systems Make a Difference
Heavy-duty air filters make a significant difference in air quality. But, if you want even cleaner air, you should ask your HVAC professional about a separate filtration system.
These systems provide a ton of benefits. They are a great idea for those with allergies or health issues including lung problems. However, they improve the air quality and health for everyone, regardless of health concerns. A separate air filtration system for the whole house will remove pollen, mold spores, VOCs, and other contaminants at a high rate. Your HVAC’s air filter could never come close to removing what a separate filtrations system can remove. You may find a system like this especially useful if you are near a busy metro area. Businesses, vehicles, and a dense population can increase the level of air contamination outside at an enormous rate.
Overall HVAC System Maintenance Improves Your Air
Regularly scheduled maintenance will always help to improve the air quality inside your home. Your HVAC system should typically have scheduled maintenance twice a year. Scheduling maintenance before the cold weather comes will help you keep up with any seasonal fluctuations your system is dealing with.
Consider Germicidal UV Lights
Germicidal UV lights can help maintain a safe environment. These lights have been developed to address the buildup of germs inside the ductwork and throughout the house. They use a special type of UV bulb that you will need a professional to install and maintain. These lights do a great job of managing germs in the air. If not used properly, they can burn you as it is similar to the way staying in a tanning bed can cause a burn. You shouldn’t be near them without protective glasses, either. People who want to install these lights should talk to their HVAC professionals about the increase in electricity and maintenance before making the purchase.
These lights use the UV-C range of light to kill a huge number of viruses, bacteria, allergens, and mold spores inside the home. It is important to make sure you install the right quantity of these lights so that they can properly disinfect the air.
Our wide range of HVAC services includes ductless mini-split installation, heat pumps, all kinds of heating and cooling maintenance, and emergency repairs. We are a proud Lennox and Mitsubishi dealer. We provide our clients with exceptional service from NATE-certified technicians. We have an amazing reputation in the Las Vegas area and look forward to serving you as you make your home comfortable. Contact Polar Air & Heating, Inc. today.
